FPS vs RTS - What is easier?

[James]

Trick subject, it is apples to pears.

We discussed with Aidan about RTS vs FPS games in terms of what is easier. He argued that RTS is very time consuming and he could pick up any FPS. I would agree, but I won't.

Though, in general FPS skills transfer over from games easier as they're mainly reflex/aim skills. For example, if you're good at Quake you're probably gonna be good at Unreal Tournament, Team Fortress etc. (Once you learn the basics obviously). Those good at TFC generally good at TF2 for example.

However, RTS skills aren't about reflexes or the like, but intimate game knowledge and knowing the ins and outs of the whole game. Just because you're good at Starcraft doesn't mean you'll be good at Age of Empires or the like. Skills like base management, microing and macroing etc will get carried over a bit - but it requires a lot more work to get back to the 'competitive' level. But again; those good at StarCraft are generally good at StarCraft 2.

Here's where the lines blend; the competitive level. When it comes down to it BOTH genres require game knowledge and aim/reflexes. Where's the weapons?, how do I counter this?, where's the best place and time to engage?, how long until he gets this and that? It is all the same.

Though I find the same logics apply or do not to other genres. I find myself to be above mediocre at some platform games like Sonic 2 and Super Mario Bros 3 but when I revisit a videogame like Sonic 1 or Super Mario World I am hopeless as I am used to the other game's mechanics.

I eat apples a lot more than pears. There seems to be a lot more of them in shops. Then again, I'm fussy about what apples I eat and I wouldn't say no to any good pear.

Moral of the story: Don't knock something until you try it, I bet you remember being confused at your first try at any genre and I bet you were terrible until you learnt them.

[Aidan]

Very good topic.


What does everyone think?

[James]

Other things to think about: Muscle memory. Let us pretend that RTS is a bigger genre with more titles than FPS. The habbits and reflexes we learn will carry over to these and when we try that other unfamilar genre we get a lil confused on how to move.

I am familiar of pro RTS players who absolutely suck at singleplayer FPS on easy difficulty settings that I find myself having absolutely no trouble with. I found this very confusing as I envisioned these micromanagement masters as Gods of the mouse and keyboard. Turns out it was quite a completely new experience for them!

[Professor Layton]

FPS games and RTS games both are realtime games where a fraction of a second can matter a lot. During these games one would strive perfection, but never fully reach it. In other words, theres no limit on the skill required by either game, so to be at the VERY TOP would be just as skillful for both games, given that the playerbase is just as big for both. (I was pretty good at dxmp, but very far from the refinedness that exists in other games.)

That being said, FPS games in my opinion require a lot less to start with. I can pick up any fps and within 2 days be in the top 10-20%, as long as the game would fully rely on aim and tactical positioning.

In SC2 I took a long while to reach the top 50% of the active player base, despite having played a lot of RTS games offline. Even now I'm only in like the top 40% or something, after having played many hours of sc2. (Easily over hundred hours by now I guess)

For FPS games I can easily get into the top 10% by just aiming well, but one needs to focus on so many things in starcraft 2 to get in the top 10%, compared to FPS games.

[or 1=1]

Move and left click is something that even a kid could do without any problem. An RTS needs way more knowledge about units\buildings\tactics (unless you're playing something like TTD but still you need a huge knowledge to play this game at the best) BUT all these knowledge is useless in a FPS.

RTS: you get whic tactic is your opponent going to use and you make your own counter tactic.

FPS: you encounter many different opponents with many different tactics, and you can find yourself in many different occasion of advantage or disavantage (lets' say you've half HP and you encounter another enemy. In SC will never happen to start a game against an opponent with a already complete base) and you've to quick think for the best countermove AND still you can't be sure that another opponent could be right behind the corner and will kill you in the middle of the fight.

Whic one is easier? FPS at the start. A good RTS player can start play any FPS and rock at it? No.

[James]

It seems you guys are saying that FPS is easier to start off with, let me spice this up...

Which is easier; a casual FPS or a DOTAlike? Personally I find games like LoL much easier than console CODlikes.

[Siva]

Depends on the game, the skill level you are playing at etc.
For example, LoL is about as easy as pubbing in CoD
HoN is much more difficult and involved, and comparable to CSS.

And as for RTS compared to FPS

High level starclack has no real equal in the FPS genre, because you need to know so much and be doing so much at once

[Mastakilla]

For me, FPS is way easyer then RTS games...

I can't handle too much info like that at once. Although I do enjoy them. Especially the Age of Empires and Total War games. Don't think I could ever be any good at something like Starcraft having seen you guys discuss it and my head hurting just reading it



I enjoyed Starcraft when I was young, but just single player really. I wouldn't be able to take getting my ass beat by people who aren't overwhelmed it.

FPS is pretty basic, you just got your own character to look out for, and a handful of situations to react to. This, to me, seems alot different to RTS type games where winning or losing can depend on alot more things.

[James]

I enjoyed Starcraft when I was young, but just single player really. I wouldn't be able to take getting my ass beat by people who aren't overwhelmed it.

RE: SC2

It has a friendly laddering system based on skill level through matchmaking.

[ynnaD]

FPS are easier for me personally, probably for the sole fact that i'm not a big fan of RTS, they don't appeal to me.

[James]

So it looks like we all agree that FPS games are easier to learn from the start?

I hope it enlightened you that RTS games are not as hard as they seem, I stand firm that it isn't a big difference when you get used to them.

[Mastakilla]

Learning curve is deffo harder though.

I think it's like comparing table tennis to chess, lol.

[James]

Poker is more accurate for SC.

[James]

I know for a fact that competitive RTS is easier to watch than competitive FPS!!!!!!!!

[ynnaD]

FPS is boring as hell to watch, i don't even play RTS games myself and i'd rather watch them.